Schools need to teach more about gun safety and shooter awareness

The nation is mourning the latest wanton acts of violence in Florida and the loss of lives of students and teachers. I woke up to the disturbing news, seeing the trauma on the faces of the students in Florida. It affected me deeply as a parent, martial arts/self-defense instructor and juvenile court liaison who works in the schools. For years I have contemplated what I would do in the event of a school shooting. The thoughts have crossed my mind: Do I have adequate training? Am I prepared? What would I do? Our local school district does have a protocol and provides training for staff — this is in no way a criticism of our school district. However, how much are we really prepared?

Iowa City is not immune: Guns are available in our community and, make no mistake, young people and mentally ill have access. Sadly, I knew the victim in the pedestrian mall shooting and two of the victims of the 1991 University of Iowa shooting. I was also with my daughter at the Coral Ridge Mall during the shooting there. I have experienced shootings in my hometown of New York City. So I often tell students about my experiences, that guns are not toys, they kill.

It is time we start teaching more awareness, gun safety and responsibility in a more effective, comprehensive manner. People are only aware and react once it is too late and innocent lives are lost, as in the case of Columbine, Sandy Hook and now Parkland. I think we as parents and educators need to do more to prepare children and teach children about the very real consequences and how to react in these situations.

Ironically, a professor from Florida teaches children about gun safety, using role-playing to prepare students on how to react to these situations. We need to implement similar training for young children. Active shooter awareness and training are needed for adults and children. We need to teach everyone about spotting the warning signs of a potential shooter.

We can debate the politics of gun control all day and nothing is accomplished. It is not a Republican or Democrat issue, it is an American issue. I am not advocating stricter gun control or police in schools to make us feel safer. I am advocating more education, safety preparation and awareness about the consequences of guns. Whenever this type of senseless violence occurs we mourn, we debate, then everyone forgets and goes about business as usual.

I have little faith that guns will ever be eliminated from society. Guns are in our DNA. Instead of debating the polarizing issue of stricter gun control, let’s educate and better prepare and teach our children how to cope with gun violence.

Hamza Sharif Omar is an Iowa City resident. He is a juvenile court school liaison, a martial arts self-defense instructor and a former U.S. Airman.